Academic Programs Instructors
Current Instructors
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ERIC EREKSON
Eric Erekson's long road to making art started with his life and education in Salt Lake City, Utah. His skills as a painter were fine-tuned in the BFA and MFA programs at the University of Utah. He has shown in a number of galleries throughout the state, received honorable mentions, has been included in group and solo exhibitions, and has been published twice in International Artist magazines. His work has been exhibited locally at Coda Gallery, Evergreen Art and Frame, Magpies Nest, Pickett Fairbanks, Springville Art Museum, Pioneer Theater, Salt Lake Photo Collective, Gittins Gallery, Art Access Gallery, and Mountain Trails Gallery. Eric's interest is in how identity is formed, which he now explores in a body of work that bridges the gaps between technology and painting. He has a relentless work ethic, leading to a prolific portfolio. He paints consistently while also teaching at the University of Utah, participating in family life, and volunteering for projects such as the Beautify Salt Lake Mural project (intersection show) and leading Sketch Night at the Leonardo Art and Science Center.
What Students are Saying:
"I loved this class, it was exactly what I needed to start my art journey. Eric was very kind and always super helpful. I'm really proud of what I was able to create with his guidance and I'm excited to continue drawing!"-Rebecca L.
"[Eric] was engaging and took time to make sure everyone was understanding each technique. He made the class fun and relaxing."-Amber S.
"It was wonderful to start with the basics and work through to executing something special. Eric was very knowledgeable, and encouraging. He instructed in a relaxed, easy to understand way, at a pace I could (mostly) follow. He kindly helped each student individually break through learning road-blocks. I would encourage anyone interested in exploring art to sign up!" - Michelle B
"Professor Eric Erekson's Beginning Drawing Skills and Techniques class far exceeded my expectations. The evening class (6 evenings) covered a lot of drawing methods: from blind contour, semi blind contour, negative drawing, perspective, value, to still life, portraits, etc. Each class covered a lot of materials; Professor Erekson was very patient and professional. For example, in one still life class, he taught use how to draw FIVE objects together. He first demonstrated the composition, how to measure the proportions, then had the students draw the first steps, then he demonstrated the next steps, and meanwhile pointing out where the darkest and lightest value should be. During the class, he took time with each student to explain and show the specific steps. I felt a sense of 'accomplishment' after drawing Five objects for the first time on a 19 x 25 inch drawing paper provided by the class." - Sue Y -
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LINDSAY FREI
Lindsay holds a BFA from the University of Utah (2000) and has exhibited her work nationally. She was awarded the Undergraduate Research Grant and the Painting and Drawing Scholarship from the University of Utah (1999). Lindsay's work has been featured in Salt Lake Magazine, Southwest Art, and Poets and Artist. Lindsay currently resides in Salt Lake City.
"I learned so much in this class! I was afraid of 'color' but now feel that I can paint and draw with color confidently. Our instructor taught and explained the concepts so well and we were able to understand her, yet she also allowed us to express our own creation! I would love to take another class with her." Drawing with Color - Tamara P. -
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JOHN JAMESON
Matt Jameson is the clinical faculty coordinator for the Severe Distance Education Program in the Department of Special Education. He received his B.S. and M.Ed. from the University of Utah and is continuing postgraduate work specializing in inclusive curricular designs for students with severe disabilities at the University of Utah. Matt previously taught rural teacher candidates through the department UPLIFT program and also taught students with low incidence disabilities in the Jordan School District. -
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MALISSA MORRELL
Malissa Morrell is a Board-Certified and Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor (ATCS), licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and current Ph.D. student who has been working in the field since the late 1990s. In more than 20 years of being an art therapist, she has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, including community mental health, medical hospital, residential treatment, and private practice settings. She has also taught graduate students since 2016 and supervised new therapists and art therapists since 2007. She served on the Accreditation Board for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) for 3 years and as the founding vice president and then president of the Utah Art Therapy Association (UATA) for 8 years. She is the owner of The Therapy Studio -- a clinic for creative therapies and groups in Salt Lake City -- and Director of Expressive Therapies at La Europa Academy in Murray. Malissa teaches in the social work department at University of Utah and the psychology department at Westminster College, and is passionate about helping people use creative techniques to improve their lives, problem-solve, and expand their opportunities. -
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EMILY NELSON
Emily Nelson D.M.A.
Emily enjoys a lively career as a singer and educator. Her enjoyment of a wide variety of styles has led her down diverse musical paths, from opera to Brazilian pop, Appalachian ballads, jazz, and atonal art music. In 2009 she co-founded Utopia Early Music with tenor Christopher LeCluyse, bringing professional performances of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music to the Salt Lake music scene. She recently sang with the Ohio Light Opera as Elsie Maynard in "The Yeoman of the Guard", Adele in "Die Fledermaus", and as a braid-swinging Wagnerian soprano in Victor Herbert's "Dream City and the Magic Knight", which was released by Albany Records in 2015.
Emily holds degrees in voice, music history, and early music performance from Indiana University and the University of Utah.
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JOHN NORDSTROM
John has experience as a database designer, software engineer, and engineering manager in the computer industry. He currently teaches math for Continuing Education at the University of Utah. -
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BRUCE ROBERTSON
EDUCATION: M.F.A., Brigham Young University, 1991. M.F.A. program, California State University, Long Beach, 1984-1986. B.F.A., Brigham Young University, 1984. AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Painting, Figure Painting, Drawing, Figure Drawing, & Color Theory. -
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